The nurse is attending a neighborhood meeting where a half-way house is being proposed for the neighborhood when a member of the community states, "We don't want the facil-ity; we especially don't want violent people living near us."

Question

The response by the nurse that best addresses the public's concern is:
a. "In truth, most individuals with psychiatric disorder are passive and withdrawn and pose little threat to those around them."
b. "The mentally ill seldom behave in the manner they are portrayed by movies; they are people just like the rest of us."
c. "Patients with psychiatric disorder are so well medicated that they do not display violent behaviors."
d. "The mentally ill deserve a safe, comfortable place to live among people who truly care for them."

Answer 1

ANS: A
A major reason for the existence of the stigma placed on persons with mental illness is lack of knowledge. The main fear is of violence, although only a small percentage of patients with mental illness display this behavior. Providing the public with accurate information can help reduce stigma. The remaining options do not directly address the concerns stated.